MLB Player News

Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander said Thursday that Boyle will open the second half in a multi-inning relief role, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Boyle served in a piggyback role with Drew Rasmussen in his two appearances with the big club this month, throwing a total of nine innings while yielding three runs (two earned) with an 8:3 K:BB. However, Rasmussen is set to resume a normal starter workload after the break, and Neander mentioned Thursday that Boyle would be used for 2-to-3 innings at a time moving forward. It severely limits Boyle's fantasy outlook, should he remain in that role. However, there remains a good chance the righty will eventually find his way into the Rays' rotation, whether it be due to injury or trade of another starter. Boyle boasts a 1.29 ERA and 15:5 K:BB over 14 major-league innings in 2025 and has collected a 1.85 ERA and 96:31 K:BB across 73 frames at Triple-A Durham.

President of baseball operations Erik Neander said Thursday that DeLuca (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment this week, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

DeLuca initially landed on the injured list in April with a strained right shoulder, though multiple setbacks have caused his absence to extend into the second half of the season. He'll give minor-league action another shot within the next several days and will likely require an extended ramp-up period before rejoining the active roster.

Rays president of baseball operations Erik Neander indicated Thursday that Rodriguez (forearm) is facing a lengthy absence, Marc Topkin of the Tampa Bay Times reports.

Rodriguez experienced a setback with his right elbow/forearm during a rehab appearance last week and had been scheduled to meet with a doctor Monday. While Neander didn't divulge any details about that doctor visit, it seems as though Rodriguez didn't receive good news. The hard-throwing righty has been sideline since mid-June.

The Yankees optioned Beeter to Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Thursday.

Beeter is clearing out to make room for Rico Garcia, who was officially added to the roster after being claimed off waivers earlier this week. The 26-year-old Beeter made two appearances during his stint in the majors, getting tagged for six runs with a 1:4 K:BB over 3.2 innings.

The Rays transferred Bigge (lat/face) to the 60-day injured list Thursday, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

The transaction frees a spot on the 40-man roster for the addition of Joey Gerber. Bigge originally went on the IL back in early May due to a right lat strain and then suffered an unrelated setback when he was struck in the face by a line drive while sitting in the dugout. He has resumed activities but is still a ways off from a return.

The Rays selected Gerber's contract from Triple-A Durham on Thursday and optioned him to Durham, Ryan Bass of FanDuel Sports Network Sun reports.

Gerber is now on the 40-man roster but will remain at Durham, where he has posted a 4.91 ERA and 31:10 K:BB over 25.2 frames in 2025. The 28-year-old's only major-league experience came in 2020 when he made 17 relief appearances with the Mariners.

Keaschall (forearm) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Keaschall is finally ready to play in games again after suffering a fractured right ulna bone back in late April. Given the long absence, Keaschall's rehab assignment could be fairly lengthy. The rookie went 7-for-19 with three doubles and five steals in his first seven big-league games prior to suffering the injury.

Ober (hip) will begin a rehab assignment with Triple-A St. Paul on Friday, Betsy Helfand of the St. Paul Pioneer Press reports.

Ober landed on the 15-day injured list at the beginning of July with a left hip impingement. He was never shut down from throwing while on the IL, so the big right-hander might require just the one rehab start before potentially rejoining the Twins' rotation next week. Ober holds a disappointing 5.28 ERA in 17 starts for the Twins this season.

Harvey (shoulder) will begin a rehab assignment with the rookie-level Arizona Complex League Royals on Thursday.

Harvey has been shelved since mid-April with a right teres major strain and is finally ready to test things out in a game setting. Given how long he's been sidelined, Harvey's rehab assignment could be a relatively lengthy one.

Melton, who earned a promotion to Triple-A Toledo in June, could be an option for the Tigers' bullpen down the stretch, Jason Beck of MLB.com reports.

Melton has enjoyed success this season, posting a 3.23 ERA and 1.31 WHIP in 10 starts for Double-A Erie, then lowering those figures to 3.06 and 1.12, respectively, through seven appearances (six starts) for Toledo. The 24-year-old righty has shown swing-and-miss stuff as well, recording 93 strikeouts in 71.1 innings across both levels. Detroit may not have a spot for Melton in the rotation this year, though he could be an effective bullpen weapon for the Tigers down the stretch as they make their postseason push, similar to what the team did with Jackson Jobe in 2024. For that to be an option, however, Melton would have to be added to the 40-man roster.